Our Vision is to see DeKalb County citizens live in a safe, healthy, and drug-free community.
The mission of the DeKalb County coalition is to unite community leaders and citizens of DeKalb County forming strong partnerships across major community sectors with the goal of reducing substance abuse.
This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Jennifer Matthews, CPSII, DPC Program Director
Email: Jennifer@DekalbCoPreventionCoalition.org
Jennifer graduated from Tennessee Tech University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology with a concentration in Child Development and Human Relations. She has served in the prevention field for the past 10+ years before assuming the role of director for DeKalb Prevention Coalition in 2020. Her top priorities within the coalition are overseeing the day-to-day operations and reporting the progress being made in DeKalb Co to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as well as youth functions and events. She is also a Certified Prevention Specialist, certified Responsible Beverage Service instructor and graduate of CADCA Academy. She lives in Cookeville with her husband Drew and her three daughters, Morgan, Laney and Shelby. With a passion for serving others, Jennifer is dedicated to making our community a safer place.
Lisa Frazier Cripps – Grant Coordinator
Lisa is a lifelong resident of DeKalb County, Tennessee, where she was raised in the Dry Creek community. A graduate of DeKalb County High School, she earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 1980 and her master’s degree in 1995. Lisa dedicated 34 years to education, serving as a teacher, Assistant Principal, Supervisor of Instruction, and was honored as Regional Teacher of the Year in education and TWRA boating and Hunters Safety.
After retiring from education, she continued her service through the DeKalb Prevention Coalition in 2017, where she served as Director and now Coordinator. She is a graduate of the CADCA Academy and holds a CPS II Certification in Prevention Services. In 2019, she was named Community Volunteer of the Year by the Tennessee State Volunteerism Society.
Lisa has been married to her husband, Jerald, since 1977. They have three sons and eight grandchildren. They live on a farm in Liberty, Tennessee, where Lisa enjoys mission work, community service, baking, photography, traveling, decorating, and farming.
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Kenlee Taylor – Youth Coordinator
Kenlee is a graduate of DeKalb County High School and is deeply rooted in the Dekalb community, where she was born and raised. Kenlee plays an important role in delivering prevention services and providing support to youth within DeKalb County schools. Her work focuses on empowering young people through education, prevention programming, and positive community engagement. Kenlee is a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and a graduate of CADCA Academy. With a strong passion for helping others, she is dedicated to creating a safer, healthier community where youth can grow and thrive.
President – Jessica Tucker
Vice President – Kathy Hendrixson
Secretary – Suzanne Williams
Treasurer – Samantha Bowman